Posts in Opinion
America Has No King
America Has No King

 In February 2025, President Donald Trump posted an image of himself wearing a golden crown with the words “Long Live The King.” Days later, he shared another image dressed in papal robes, joking about becoming Pope. These posts sparked backlash, with critics pointing to Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution, which forbids titles of nobility. Trump’s rhetoric, while styled as humor, reflects a deeper erosion of democratic norms. In a nation founded on the rejection of monarchy and the embrace of rule by the people, such gestures are not just symbolic—they are dangerous. The presidency is not a throne; it is a public trust. Treating it otherwise threatens the very foundations of the republic.

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Columns, OpinionNick SwisherOpinion Piece, Columns, Trump, President Trump, DictatorshipComment
Two Truths in Tension: When Law Meets the Transgender Experience
Two Truths in Tension: When Law Meets the Transgender Experience

Prior to 2021, the State of Oklahoma allowed transgender individuals to change the sex on their birth certificates to reflect their gender identity after transition. In 2021, as a wave of anti-trans sentiment spread across many conservative states, Governor Kevin Stitt signed an Executive Order barring the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) from amending the sex of any individual on their birth certificates. Rowan Fowler, a transgender woman who had been affected by the Order, joined with several other similarly situated individuals to sue the Governor, on the grounds that his order violated the Fourteenth Amendment’s guarantee of Equal Protection. After losing in the District Court, and winning on appeal at the Tenth Circuit, Fowler and her fellow litigants now face one final legal hurdle at the Supreme Court. What merit is there to her Equal Protection claim?

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Columns, OpinionAndy GongOpinion, Columns, Supreme Court, Transgender Legislation, Gender RightsComment
Transgender Women’s Rights Left in Limbo Following U.K. Supreme Court Decision
Transgender Women’s Rights Left in Limbo Following U.K. Supreme Court Decision

On Monday, April 16th, the United Kingdom Supreme Court ruled that the official definition of a “woman” solely refers to an individual’s biological sex. This decision overlooks the rights to security, freedom, and individuality of people who are already some of the most heavily marginalized in society. While the impacts of the law are still unfolding, it could eventually make it so that discrimination against transgender women in the U.K. becomes much more commonplace. Even more so, it risks undermining the social legitimacy of transgender identities as “real.” Finally, it could easily influence policies relating to transgender and gender non-conforming individuals in other nations, especially in fragile political climates where political leaders are already leaning towards limiting LGBTQ+ rights.

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Opinion, ColumnsJaya NadellaOpinion, Columns, Transgender Legislation, UK PoliticsComment
The Politics of Control: The Hunger Games, MAGA, and the Rebranding of Dissent
The Politics of Control: The Hunger Games, MAGA, and the Rebranding of Dissent

The Hunger Games offers a framework for understanding how narrative functions as a tool of political control through the lens of media, rhetoric, and perception. In Panem, the Capitol doesn’t just eliminate opposition, it controls its image. President Donald Trump’s political strategies have relied on similar mechanisms, creating a parallel between him and President Snow (and the Capitol). In 2016, grievance became branding. In 2020, the campaign prioritized spectacle. Now, in 2025, after a return to the office, that approach has only intensified. This emphasis has shifted from confronting dissent directly to influencing how it is publicly interpreted and politically leveraged.

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Columns, OpinionAdriana ConcepcionOpinion, Columns, Trump, Media, MAGAComment
A Weakening Dollar, Recession Fears, and Economic Uncertainty: What the Economy Looks Like in the New Trump Era
A Weakening Dollar, Recession Fears, and Economic Uncertainty: What the Economy Looks Like in the New Trump Era

The weakening of the dollar can be attributed to many factors, including uncertainty about the future, political instability, and declining investment. As a country whose primary export is its currency and financial services, the United States is a critical player in the international economy, and the value of the dollar can have massive impacts domestically and globally.

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Columns, OpinionAllie LynchOpinion, Columns, Economy, Inflation, TaxesComment
Due Process in the Age of Deportation: The Legal Divide Over Immigration
Due Process in the Age of Deportation: The Legal Divide Over Immigration

A legal catastrophe perpetrated by Donald Trump and his administration. The only “clash” happening is the clear disregard for the law by the Trump administration, and their continued non-compliance. This is no longer a partisan issue — we are beyond politics when we begin ignoring due process and violating the Constitution.

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Columns, OpinionSofia PadovanoOpinion, Columns, Due Process, Immigration, Trump Comment
Democrats Claim that Trump is an Existential Threat to American Democracy. It's Time Their Leadership Acts Like It
Democrats Claim that Trump is an Existential Threat to American Democracy. It's Time Their Leadership Acts Like It

While the strategies of the boldest members of the Democratic caucus remain untested on a national scale, the party has already lost the White House, both chambers of Congress, the federal courts, most governors’ mansions, and state legislatures. Sticking to the same cautious playbook has only led to continued defeats. At this point, what do they have to lose by trying something new?

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Columns, OpinionAndrew AslaksonOpinion, ColumnsComment
A Self-Inflicted Trade Wound: Why is Trump Turning America’s Closest Allies Into Enemies?
A Self-Inflicted Trade Wound: Why is Trump Turning America’s Closest Allies Into Enemies?

President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 25% tariff on European Union imports is not just an economic gamble–it is a deliberate act of alienation. At a time when global alliances are more crucial than ever, these tariffs send a clear message: America is willing to sacrifice its closest partnerships in the name of isolationist politics, no matter the cost. 

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Columns, OpinionAdriana ConcepcionOpinion, Columns Comment
What Trump’s Spat with Zelenskyy Means About U.S. Global Alliances
What Trump’s Spat with Zelenskyy Means About U.S. Global Alliances

Historically, the United States’ allies, such as the European Union, have continuously supported and aided the U.S. economically and politically. However, this dynamic has begun to shift. As Trump’s conflict with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has continued to create tensions between the two countries, there is concern that it could lead to a decline in America's economic dominance and political stability, potentially ending the geopolitical prosperity it has enjoyed since World War II.

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Columns, OpinionAbram GregoryOpinion, Columns, ColumnComment
The First Amendment on Trial: The Case Against Mahmoud Khalil’s Detention
The First Amendment on Trial: The Case Against Mahmoud Khalil’s Detention

On March 7, 2025, the Trump administration arrested and detained Mahmoud Khalil, a key figure for pro-Palestinian demonstrators during last year's unrest at Columbia University. The arrest came amidst Trump’s promises to deport foreign nationals who had participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations on American college campuses. However, the Trump administration faces several legal hurdles, one of them being the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment. Can Mahmoud Khalil be punished, through deportation, for his speech during last year’s demonstrations?

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Editorials, OpinionAndy GongKhalil, Opinion, EditorialComment
Legal Review: Is Judicial Review Obsolete? Examining JD Vance’s Vision of Executive Power
Legal Review: Is Judicial Review Obsolete? Examining JD Vance’s Vision of Executive Power

Upon taking office, President Donald Trump began implementing his agenda through an unprecedented use of executive power. However, many of his actions have faced legal roadblocks, being restrained or enjoined by the Courts. In response, Vice President JD Vance suggested that “judges cannot control the Executive’s legitimate power.” To what extent is this statement true under existing constitutional principles and case law?

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Columns, OpinionAndy GongJD Vance, Legal Review, OpinionComment
Are Local Governments to Blame for Zillow’s Housing Worries?
Are Local Governments to Blame for Zillow’s Housing Worries?

The rising cost of living in America has become an inflection point for heated discussions regarding trade economics, foreign relations, the power of tech companies, and much more. Despite the ever-encroaching issue, the bulk of messaging regarding the crux of the housing crises has failed to hit the mark historically, instead chasing after private companies like Zillow as the key culprit. As the housing market continues to be shaped by restrictive zoning laws, high interest rates, and construction bottlenecks, future homebuyers will remain at the mercy of broader economic forces rather than companies like Zillow. 

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Columns, OpinionJoseph ColeOpinion Piece, ColumnsComment
Amid Rwanda-Congo Dispute, M23’s Advance into the DRC Threatens Regional Stability
Amid Rwanda-Congo Dispute, M23’s Advance into the DRC Threatens Regional Stability

The renewed violence has brought in regional actors, and concerns have been raised about whether it could escalate into a larger conflict. Burundi, Tanzania, and Uganda have all deployed troops to assist the Congo in fighting M23 and other rebel groups. A summit of East and South African leaders has called for a ceasefire, but any other pressure has stopped there. However, the larger international community has fallen short of putting other pressure on Rwanda despite overt human rights violations by the rebel group.

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Columns, OpinionAddisen HeavnerCongo, DRC, Opinion, ColumnsComment
Texas’ Measles Outbreak: A Dangerous Symptom of America’s Anti-Vax Epidemic
Texas’ Measles Outbreak: A Dangerous Symptom of America’s Anti-Vax Epidemic

In 2000, the United States declared measles eradicated, but 25 years later, Gaines County, Texas, is grappling with a measles outbreak, with 124 confirmed cases and counting. The rise of misinformation, distrust in public health, and slipping vaccination rates, exacerbated by the anti-vaccination movement and social media, has led to this preventable crisis, putting vulnerable populations at risk. Public health officials are now fighting to contain the outbreak while emphasizing the importance of empathy, trust, and policy enforcement to combat vaccine hesitancy.

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Columns, OpinionJessica HightMeasles, Public Health, Texas, Opinion, ColumnsComment
Musk Misleads: Inside the DOGE’s latest attempt to harm social welfare programs.
Musk Misleads: Inside the DOGE’s latest attempt to harm social welfare programs.

In a misleading post on X, Elon Musk shared a chart showing 14 million individuals over the age of 120 with a “death field set to FALSE.” This may indicate they were not officially listed as deceased. However, data from 2024 shows only about 89,000 individuals over the age of 90 received benefits, a stark contrast to claims of “millions” thought to be taking advantage of the system.

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Columns, OpinionDevi PatelOpinion, Columns, Trump, MuskComment
Trump and Musk’s Government Purge: Who Needs a Functioning Government Anyway?
Trump and Musk’s Government Purge: Who Needs a Functioning Government Anyway?

President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s so-called ‘efficiency’ plan is not about improving the government but dismantling it. By slashing federal jobs, stripping agencies of expertise, and weakening institutions like the EPA and the Department of Education, they are not streamlining operations; they are undermining accountability. This is not reform–it is a deliberate effort to erode the very functions that keep power in check.

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Opinion, EditorialsAdriana ConcepcionTrump, Elon Musk, DOGE, Trump Cuts, Opinion, Columns, EditorialComment